SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW
Phil Evason is adamant. He’d just given us the guided tour of the Lloyd collection of stunning classics which in this crazy time of Covid-19 hasn’t been seen on display since the 2019 season. As we discover, Phil and his partner in grime, Dave Thomas, are the last two members of the old Lloyds of Ludlow workshop staff still at work. As we’ll explain, this dedicated duo are doing what their old boss Tony had long wanted which was in essence, keeping the Lloyds of Ludlow Ltd name very much alive on the preservation scene.
We naturally ask, whether they can sense the presence of someone who sadly passed away – at the age of 72 – in 2011 and Phil has no doubt: “He’s here with us every day – I know that for sure.” To understand why he feels that way, Dave explains Tony’s attitude to their stunning period collection of AECs and Maudslays – plus a lone Seddon-Atkinson: “Tony always referred to the restored fleet as ‘Our Lorries.’ Obviously the vehicles were owned by him but he would insist: ‘They are not mine but you two have put so much into them that they really are ours and what we do with them is something we will always jointly decide on.’”
This was quite a refreshing attitude for an owner to adopt although it’s not the only surprise you get if you find your way to Lloyds’ old yard at 105, Corve Street in the
